My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” (Ps 42:3)
Fun and happiness may be the sugary choice for most of us, but tears and sorrow are the meat and potatoes of the soul. Tears are food for our character. We never like it, but sadness and grief produce growth. That’s why Solomon said it was better to go to a house of mourning than a house of feasting (see Eccl 7:2-4) and James would remind us to rejoice in our trials because they produce perseverance (see Jas 1:2-4).
Our confidence in God only comes through traveling through the valley of the shadow of death, enduring the mocking of the unbeliever, and coming out the other side onto the tablelands of joy and peace. The apostles were right to rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ (see Acts 5:41). Hardship makes us rich, deep, soulful people and godly sorrow is the road to repentance (see 2 Cor 7:10).
Tears are food for the faithful soul.
Matt 4:4 #Biblebites